For many of us, it will be coming! Most states in the USA adopt the International Fire Code (IFC) as their Fire Code and HAZMAT Code; although most adopt a “revised” version of the IFC and most states run anywhere from 5-15 years behind the actual IFC. For example, my home state of OH just revised their Fire Code in December 2017 by adopting a revised 2015 IFC. But the fact that the 2018 IFC, Chapter 22 now merely references NFPA 652 as the requirement(s) to meet is a huge step forward for managing COM DUST hazards. With OSHA, we have to piecemeal standards to use as a baseline and all to often we are faced with the argument that NFPA 652 is a “best practice”, but now for those of us in a state where they adopt the IFC there is a good chance in the coming years that we will be able to get management’s attention about what “must be done” to comply with the state’s COM DUST standards/codes. We can only hope that states that adopt a revised code do not manipulate their version so that NFPA 652 is removed.
SECTION 2201 GENERAL
2201.1 Scope. The equipment, processes, and operations involving dust explosion hazards shall comply with the provisions of this chapter code and NFPA 652.
SECTION 2202 DEFINITION
2202.1 Definition. The following term is defined in Chapter 2: COMBUSTIBLE DUST.
SECTION 2203 PRECAUTIONS
2203.1 Owner responsibility. The owner or operator of a facility with operations that manufacture, process, blend, convey, repackage, generate or handle potentially combustible dust or combustible particulate solids shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 652.
2203.2 Dust hazard analysis (DHA). The requirements of NFPA 652 apply to all new and existing facilities and operations with combustible dust hazard. Existing facilities shall have a dust hazard analysis (DHA)completed in accordance with Section 7.1.2 of NFPA 652. The fire code official shall be authorized to order a dust hazard analysis to occur sooner if a combustible dust hazard has been identified in a facility that has not previously performed an analysis.
2203.3 Sources of ignition. Smoking, the use of heating or other devices employing an open flame, or the use of spark-producing equipment is prohibited in areas where combustible dust is generated,
stored, manufactured, processed or handled.
2203.4 Housekeeping. Accumulation of combustible dust shall be kept to a minimum in the interior of buildings. Accumulated combustible dust shall be collected by vacuum cleaning or other means that will not place combustible dust into suspension in air. Forced air or similar methods shall not be used to remove dust from surfaces.